1

THE KARNATAKA CINEMAS (REGULATION) ACT, 1964

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Statements of Objects and Reasons:
Section:
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Definitions.
3. Licensing authority.
4. Cinematograph exhibitions to be licensed.
5. Licence for exhibition of cinematograph films.
6. Matters to be considered by licensing authority.
7. Power of licensing authority to limit number of places that can be licensed in any area.
8. Restriction on powers of licensing authority.
9. Licence personal to the grantee and not transferable except with the permission of
licensing authority.
10. Appeal against decisions under sections 5 and 9.
11. Construction or reconstruction of buildings or use of places for exhibition of cinematograph
films only to be made after obtaining permission of licensing authority.
12. Power of State Government to issue directions.
13. Power of licensing authority to issue directions.
14. Power of State Government to issue orders and directions of a general character in respect
of matters relating to licences.
15. Power of State Government or licensing authority to suspend exhibition of films in certain
cases.
16. Penalties.
17. Power to revoke or suspend a licence.
18. Revisional powers of State Government.
19. Power to make rules.
20. Power to exempt.
21. Offences by companies.
22. Rules and orders to be laid before Legislature.
23. Repeal and savings.
SCHEDULE.
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STATEMENTS OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
I
Act 23 of 1964.- At present there are different laws in force in the different areas of the State
as noted below relating to the regulation of the exhibition by means of cinematographs and the
licensing of places in which cinematograph films are exhibited. With a view to have a uniform law
applicable to the whole of the new State of Mysore this Bill is brought forward.
(1) The Mysore Cinemas (Regulation) Act 1952, as in force in the Mysore Area;
(2) The Madras Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1955, as in force in the Madras Area;
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(3) The Bombay Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1953, as in force in the Bombay Area;
(4) The Hyderabad Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1952, as in force in the Hyderabad Area;
(5) Part III of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (Central Act XXXVII of 1952), as in force in
the Coorg District.
The main features of the Bill are—
Under clause 3 the District Magistrate is the licensing authority unless Government appoints
any other authority for this purpose. Clause 4 prohibits the exhibition of cinematograph films
elsewhere than in a place licensed under this Act. Sub-clause (1) of clause 6 specifies the
matters to be considered by the licensing authority while deciding the grant or refusal of licence
and also empowers the licensing authority to limit the number of places in any area in respect of
which licence may be granted. The licence issued under the Act is made personal under clause 8
to the person to whom it is granted. A transfer is invalid unless approved by the licensing
authority who in granting or refusing such approval is to consider the matters specified in clause
6. Orders under clause 4 and clause 8 are appealable to the prescribed authority. Clause 10
requires the taking of permission from the licensing authority for the use of any place for the
exhibition of cinematograph films, for the construction or reconstruction of buildings for exhibition
of films, for the use of any site for constructing a building thereon for the exhibition of films and for
the installation of any machinery in any place where cinematograph exhibitions are proposed to
be given. Clause 14 gives power to the licensing authority to suspend exhibition of films in certain
cases. Clause 15 prescribes penalties for contravention of certain provisions of the Act and power
is given in clause 16 for revoking licence when the holder is convicted of certain offences. Clause
19 gives power to Government to exempt any cinematograph exhibition or class of such
exhibitions or any place from the provisions of the Act, if such exemption is found to be necessary
or expedient in public interest.
(Published in the Karnataka Gazette, Part IV-2A dated 16th August 1962 at page. 609-610)
(Notification No.6110-LA dated 8th August 1962).
II
Amending Act 36 of 1976.- With a view to augment the revenues of the State, it is proposed
to levy an Additional Tax on entertainments on the value of tickets (inclusive of Entertainment Tax
and Surcharge).
It is further proposed, in order to effectively check evasion to increase the fines leviable under
the Act and to provide for imprisonment as an alternative penalty.
It is also proposed for the same reason to amend the Karnataka Cinemas Regulation Act to
enable revocation or suspension of the cinema licence even when offences under the Act are
compounded.
Incidental amendments providing for rounding off the tax to the nearest multiple of five paise,
refund of tax in case of power failure or mechanical breakdown etc., are also proposed to be
made.
Hence this Bill.
(Published in the Karnataka Gazette (Extraordinary) Part IV-2A, dated 30th March 1976 as
No. 1744 at page. 8.)
III
Amending Act 13 of 1998.- It is considered necessary to amend the Karnataka Cinemas
(Regulation) Act, 1964 (Karnataka Act 23 of 1964),—
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(1) to provide for restriction on the licencing authority not to grant a licence for exhibition of
Cinematograph films unless the applicant has paid the amount of entertainment tax or other dues
if any payable by him.
(2) to empower the licencing authority to revoke or suspend the licence for exhibition of
Cinematograph films if the licencee fails to comply with the conditions of licence or contravenes
the provisions of the Act or the rules made thereunder, after giving an opportunity of showing
cause.
Hence the Bill.
(Obtained from L.C. Bill No. 3 of 1977 in File No. SAMVYASHAE 33 SASANA 96).
IV
Amending Act 22 of 2000.- Note.- By this Act certain obsolete and spent Acts were repealed
and some minor and consequential amendments are made to some Acts including Act 23 of
1964.
(Obtained from L.A. Bill No. 17 of 2000)
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[KARNATAKA]1 ACT No. 23 OF 1964

1

(First published in the 1[Karnataka Gazette]1 on the Twenty-eighth day of May, 1964.)
THE 1[KARNATAKA]1 CINEMAS (REGULATION) ACT, 1964.
(Received the assent of the President on the Tenth day of April, 1964.)
(As Amended by Karnataka Act 36 of 1976, 13 of 1998 and 22 of 2000)
An Act to provide for regulating exhibition by means of cinematographs and the
licensing of places in which cinematograph films are exhibited in the 1[State of
Karnataka]1.
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for regulating exhibitions by means of
cinematographs and the licensing of places in which cinematograph films are exhibited
in the 1[State of Karnataka]1 and for other matters hereinafter appearing;
BE it enacted by the 1[Karnataka State]1 Legislature in the Fourteenth Year of the
Republic of India as follows:-
1. Adapted by the Karnataka Adaptation of Laws Order, 1973 w.e.f. 01.11.1973.

1. Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the
1
[Karnataka]1 Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1964.
1. Adapted by the Karnataka Adaptation of Laws Order, 1973 w.e.f. 01.11.1973.

(2) It extends to the whole of the 1[State of Karnataka]1.

(3) It shall come into force on such 2[date]2 as the State Government may, by
notification, appoint.
1. Adapted by the Karnataka Adaptation of Laws Order, 1973 w.e.f. 01.11.1973.
2. Act has come into force w.e.f. 15.03.1971 by notification. Text of the notification is at the end of the
Act.
2. Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(1) “cinematograph” includes any apparatus for the representation of moving pictures
or series of pictures;
(2) “licensing authority” means the authority empowered under section 3 to grant
licences under this Act;
(3) “notification” means a notification published in the official Gazette;
(4) “place” includes a house, building, tent, enclosure, and any description of
transport, whether by water, land or air;
(5) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act.
3. Licensing authority.- The authority having power to grant licences under this Act
shall, in every district be the District Magistrate.
Explanation.- In this section, “District Magistrate,” means the Deputy Commissioner
exercising the powers of a District Magistrate or an Additional District Magistrate.
4. Cinematograph exhibitions to be licensed.- Save as otherwise provided in this
Act, no person shall give an exhibition by means of a cinematograph elsewhere than in a
place licensed under this Act, or otherwise than in compliance with any conditions and
restrictions imposed by such licence.
5. Licence for exhibition of cinematograph films.- (1) Any person, who intends to
give exhibition by means of a cinematograph in a place shall make an application in
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writing to the licensing authority for a licence therefor, together with such particulars as
may be prescribed.
(2) The licensing authority may, thereupon, after consulting such authority or officer
as may be prescribed and subject to the provisions of this Act, and the rules made
thereunder, grant the licence to such person and on such terms and conditions and
subject to such restrictions as it may determine.
(3) Where the licensing authority refuses to grant the licence, it shall do so by an
order communicated to the applicant, giving the reasons for such refusal.
6. Matters to be considered by licensing authority.- The licensing authority shall,
in deciding whether to grant or refuse a licence, have regard to the following matters,
namely:-
(a) the interest of the public generally;
(b) the suitability of the place where the cinematograph exhibitions are proposed to
be given;
(c) the adequacy of existing places for the exhibition of cinematograph films in the
locality; and
(d) the benefit to any particular locality or localities to be afforded by the opening of a
new place of cinematograph exhibition;
and shall also take into consideration any representations made by persons already
giving cinematograph exhibitions in or near the proposed locality or by any local
authority or police authority within whose jurisdiction the place proposed to be licensed is
situated or by any association interested in the giving of cinematograph exhibition.
7. Power of licensing authority to limit number of places that can be licensed in
any area.- The licensing authority may, after consideration of the matters set forth in
section 6, and subject to such rules as may be prescribed, by order, limit the number of
places in any area in respect of which licences under this Act may be granted.
8. Restriction on powers of licensing authority.- The licensing authority shall not
grant a licence unless it is satisfied that,-
(a) the rules made under this Act have been substantially complied with;
1
[(aa) the applicant has paid the entire amount of tax or other dues payable by him
under the Karnataka Entertainments Tax Act, 1958 (Karnataka Act 30 of 1958):]1
1. Inserted by Act 13 of 1996 w.e.f. 11.05.1998.

(b) adequate precautions have been taken in the place in respect of which the licence
is to be granted, to provide for the safety, convenience and comfort of the persons
attending exhibitions therein; and
(c) the limit regarding the number of places for the area, determined under section 7,
is not exceeded.
9. Licence personal to the grantee and not transferable except with the
permission of licensing authority.- Every licence under this Act shall be personal to
the person to whom it is granted and no transfer or assignment thereof whether absolute
or by way of security or otherwise shall be valid unless such transfer or assignment is
made with the approval in writing of the licensing authority.
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10. Appeal against decisions under sections 5 and 9.- Any person aggrieved by
the decision of the licensing authority under section 5 or section 9 may, within thirty days
from the date on which such decision was communicated to him, and subject to such
conditions as may be prescribed, appeal to the prescribed authority and where no such
authority is prescribed, to the State Government. The decision of the appellate authority
on the appeal shall be final.
11. Construction or reconstruction of buildings or use of places for exhibition
of cinematorgraph films only to be made after obtaining permission of licensing
authority.- (1) Any person, who intends,-
(a) to use any place for the exhibition of cinematograph films; or
(b) to use any site for constructing a building thereon for the exhibition of
cinematograph films; or
(c) to construct or reconstruct any building for such exhibition; or
(d) to instal any machinery in any place where cinematograph exhibitions are
proposed to be given;
shall make an application in writing to the licensing authority for permission therefor,
together with such particulars as may be prescribed.
(2) No provision contained in the enactments specified in the Schedule or any other
law for the time being in force regulating the erection or construction of buildings, or in
the rules or bye-laws made under any such enactment or law shall apply to an
application under sub-section (1) in so far as such provision relates to any of the matters
specified in the said sub-section.
(3) The licensing authority shall, thereupon, after consulting such authority or officer
as may be prescribed, grant or refuse permission and the provisions of section 6, section
8 and section 10 relating to licences shall, so far as may be, apply to permission under
this section.
12. Power of State Government to issue directions.- (1) The State Government
may, from time to time, issue directions to any licensee or to licensees generally,
requiring the licensee or licensees to exhibit,-
(a) such film or class of films having a scientific or educational value;
(b) such films dealing with news and current events;
(c) such documentary films, indigenous films, or such other films having special
value to the public,
as may have been approved by the State Government in that behalf from time to time.
(2) Where any directions have been issued under sub-section (1), such directions
shall be deemed to be additional conditions and restrictions subject to which the licence
has been granted:
Provided that no direction issued under this section shall require the licensee to
exhibit any such film or films exceeding two thousand feet at, or for more than one-fifth
of the entire time taken for, any one show.
13. Power of licensing authority to issue directions.- The licensing authority may,
from time to time, issue directions to any licensee or licensees generally, requiring the
licensee or licensees to exhibit in each show such slides of public interest as may be
supplied by that authority:
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Provided that no direction issued under this section shall require the licensee to
exhibit more than three such slides at, or for more than four minutes in, any one show.
14. Power of State Government to issue orders and directions of a general
character in respect of matters relating to licences.- The State Government may,
subject to the provisions of this Act, and the rules made thereunder, issue to licensing
authorities such orders and directions of a general character as it may consider
necessary in respect of any matter relating to licences for the exhibition of
cinematograph films; and every licensing authority shall give effect to such orders and
directions.
15. Power of State Government or licensing authority to suspend exhibition of
films in certain cases.- (1) The State Government in respect of the whole of the State
or any part thereof, and the licensing authority in respect of the area within its
jurisdiction, may, if it is of opinion that any film, which is being or is about to be publicly
exhibited is likely to cause a breach of the peace, by order, suspend the exhibition of
such film; and during the period of such suspension no person shall exhibit such film or
permit it to be exhibited in any place in the State or any part or area thereof, as the case
may be.
(2) No order shall be issued under sub-section (1) until the person concerned has
been given a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against the order proposed to be
issued in regard to him; unless owing to emergency or for some other reason, to be
recorded in writing, the State Government or the licensing authority is satisfied that it is
not reasonably practicable to give that person an opportunity of showing cause:
Provided that a copy of the reasons recorded by the State Government or the
licensing authority for issuing the order shall be communicated to the person concerned
as soon as it becomes reasonably practicable to communicate the reason to him.
(3) If any question arises whether it is reasonably practicable to give to any person an
opportunity of showing cause under sub-section (2), the decision thereon of the State
Government or the licensing authority, as the case may be, shall be final.
(4) Where an order under sub-section (1) has been issued by the licensing authority,
a copy thereof together with a statement of the reasons therefor, shall forthwith be
forwarded by him to the State Government and the State Government may, on a
consideration of all the facts of the case, either confirm or vary or cancel the order.
(5) An order issued under sub-section (1) shall remain in force for a period of two
weeks from the date thereof, but the State Government may, if it is of opinion that the
order should continue in force, direct that the period of suspension shall be extended by
such further period or periods not exceeding two months in the aggregate, as it thinks fit:
Provided that the State Government or the licensing authority may, at any time review
its own order.
16. Penalties.- (1) If the owner or person in charge of a cinematograph uses the
same or allows it to be used, or if the owner or occupier of any place permits or suffers
that place to be used, in contravention of the provisions of this Act, or of the rules made
thereunder, or of any of the conditions and restrictions upon or subject to which any
licence or permission has been granted under this Act, or of any conditions or
restrictions specified in an order under section 20, or if any person contravenes the
provisions of section 11, or any other provision of this Act or rule made thereunder, he
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shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or
in the case of a continuing offence, with a further fine, which may extend to one hundred
rupees for each day during which the offence continues.
(2) Where, after a prosecution for an offence under sub-section (1) has been
commenced, the licensing authority has reason to believe that the holder of the licence
is again committing the offence or continues to commit it, the licensing authority may, by
notice, warn the holder of the licence not to continue the offence. If the holder of the
licence shall persist in committing the offence, the licensing authority may suspend the
licence, pending the result of the prosecution.
17. Power to revoke or suspend a licence.- (1) Where the holder of a licence has
been convicted of an offence under section 16 of this Act; or section 7 of the
Cinematograph Act, 1952 (Central Act 37 of 1952), or 1[section 12 or has compounded
an offence under section 13]1 of the 2[Karnataka]2 Entertainments Tax Act, 1958
(2[Karnataka]2 Act 30 of 1958), the licensing authority may, by an order in writing, revoke
the licence or suspend it for such period as it may think fit.
1. Substituted by Act 36 of 1976 w.e.f. 1.4.1976.
2. Adapted by the Karnataka Adaptation of Laws Order, 1973 w.e.f. 01.11.1973.
1
[(1A) If the licencing authority is satisfied that the holder of a licence has, without
reasonable cause, failed to comply with the conditions subject to which, licence has
been granted or has contravened any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made
thereunder, it may, after giving the holder of the licence an opportunity of showing
cause, by an order in writing, revoke the licence or suspend it for such period as it may
think fit.]1
1. Inserted by Act 13 of 1996 w.e.f. 11.05.1998.

(2) Any person aggrieved by an order under sub-section (1) 1[or sub-section (1A)]1
may within thirty days from the date on which the order was communicated to him, and
subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, appeal to such authority as may be
prescribed and where no authority is prescribed, to the State Government.
1. Inserted by Act 13 of 1996 w.e.f. 11.05.1998.
18. Revisional powers of State Government.- The State Government may call for
and examine the record in respect of any original order passed under the provisions of
this Act against which no appeal lies under section 10 or 17, for the purpose of satisfying
itself as to the legality or propriety of such order, and may pass such order in reference
thereto, as it thinks fit:
Provided that no order shall be passed under this section without giving an
opportunity to show cause against such order to the party who may be affected by such
order.
19. Power to make rules.- (1) The State Government may, by notification, after
previous publication, make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such
rules may provide for,-
(a) the particulars to be given in an application for a licence and the terms,
conditions and restrictions, subject to which a licence may be granted under this Act and
the fees to be paid in respect of such licence;
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(b) the conditions on the basis of which the number has to be determined under
section 7;
(c) the limitation of the period for which licences in respect of any place may be
granted for touring cinemas, and prescribing the distance from a permanent cinema
beyond which licences in respect of any place for touring cinemas may be granted;
(d) the regulation of cinematograph exhibitions for securing public safety;
(e) regulating the means of entrance and exist at places licensed under this Act;
and providing for prevention of disturbance thereat;
(f) the conditions subject to which an appeal may be preferred under section 10
and sub-section (2) of section 17 and the fees to be paid in respect of such appeals;
(g) (i) the procedure to be followed by persons in respect of applications for
permission under section 11;
(ii) the documents and plans to be submitted, together with such application,
and the fees to be paid on such application;
(iii) the matters to be considered by the licensing authority before approving the
site for the construction of the building or the plans for the construction or reconstruction
of the building or the installation of machinery;
(iv) the terms, conditions and restrictions subject to which the licensing
authority may accord approval in respect of the matters referred to in sub-clause (iii);
(v) the action to be taken in cases of contravention of the terms, conditions and
restrictions subject to which such approval was accorded;
(vi) the procedure to be followed by the licensing authority before granting or
refusing permission under section 11 and any other matters incidental thereto;
(h) the procedure for approval of films for the purpose of section 12;
(i) regulating or prohibiting the sale of any ticket or pass for admission by
whatever name called to a place licensed under this Act.
(3) Subject to any modification made under section 22, every rule made under this
Act shall have effect as if enacted in this Act.
20. Power to exempt.- The State Government may, if it is necessary or expedient in
public interests so to do, by order in writing and subject to such conditions and
restrictions as may be specified in the order, exempt any cinematograph exhibition or
class of cinematograph exhibitions or any place where a cinematograph exhibition is
given from any of the provisions of this Act or of any rules made thereunder.
21. Offences by companies.- (1) Where an offence under this Act has been
committed by a company, every person who at the time the offence was committed, was
in charge of, and was responsible to the company for the conduct of the business of the
company, as well as the company shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall
be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person
liable to any punishment provided in this Act if he proves that the offence was committed
without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission
of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under
this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been
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committed with the consent or connivance of or is attributable to any neglect on the part
of, any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director,
manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and
shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation.- For the purposes of this section,-
(a) “company” means a body corporate, and includes a firm or other association of
individuals; and
(b) “director” in relation to a firm means a partner in the firm.
22. Rules and orders to be laid before Legislature.- Every rule made under this
Act and every order issued under section 20, shall be laid as soon as may be after it is
made or issued before each House of the State Legislature, while it is in session for a
total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more
successive sessions, and if before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the
session or sessions immediately following, both Houses agree in making any
modification in the rule or order or both Houses agree that the rule or order should not
be made, the rule or order shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of
no effect, as the case may be; so however that any such modification or annulment shall
be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule or order.
23. Repeal and savings.-
(1) The Mysore Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1952, as in force in the Mysore Area;
(2) the Madras Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1955, as in force in the 2[Mangalore and
Kollegal Area]2;
(3) the Bombay Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1953, as in force in the 2[Belgaum Area]2;
(4) the Hyderabad Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1952, as in force in the 2[Gulbarga
Area]2;
(5) Part III of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (Central Act 37 of 1952), as in force in the
Coorg District,
are hereby repealed:
Provided that section 6 of the 1[Karnataka]1 General Clauses Act, 1899 (1[Karnataka]1
Act 3 of 1899), shall be applicable in respect of such repeal and sections 8 and 24 of the
said Act shall be applicable as if the said enactments had been repealed and re-enacted
by this Act.
1. Adapted by the Karnataka Adaptation of Laws Order, 1973 w.e.f. 01.11.1973.

SCHEDULE
[See section 11]
[1. The Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964.
1

2. The Karnataka Municipal corporations Act, 1976.

3. The Karnataka Pachayat Raj Act, 1993.
4. The Karnataka Improvement Boards act, 1976.
5. The Bangalore Development Authority Act, 1976.
6. The Karnataka Urban Development Authorities Act, 1987. ]1
1. Substituted by Act 22 of 2000 w.e.f. 29.11.2000.

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NOTIFICATION
Bangalore, dated 6th March 1971.[No. HD 50 CNA 62.]
S.O. 479.—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 1 of the Mysore
Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1964 (Mysore Act 23 of 1964), the Government of Mysore appoints
15th day of March 1971 as the date on which the said Act shall come into force.

By Order and in the name of the Governor of

Mysore,
(MOHD. GHAZIUDDIN KHAN)
Under Secretary to Government,
Home Department.
(Published in Karnataka Gazette (Extraordinary) Part-IV 2C(ii), dated 10th March, 1971 as No.
76)
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